One would have to rise pretty early in the morning to witness the work Naperville North senior defensive lineman Gabriel Hill does in order to shine under the lights on Friday nights.
On a typical school day, the 6-foot-2, 290-pound Indiana recruit is up before dawn to begin a routine that has helped him become one of the best players in the state.
“I work out until about 6 to 6:20, then shower and eat and go to school, go to practice,” Hill said. “Then I come home and study and then go back for strength training.”
Hill used to do most of his training after school, but his uncle Eric, a former high school basketball player, encouraged him to switch it up.
“He works out early in the morning,” Hill said. “He said, ‘You should try working out early in the morning.’ I started this year, and I just kind of liked it. It helps me mentally wake up for the day.”
The new routine is just the latest incarnation of a work ethic that Hill, the 2025 Naperville Sun Football Player of the Year, has displayed since his earliest days in football. It often goes overlooked due to his imposing physical size.
Naperville North’s Gabriel Hill, top, tackles Lockport’s Christopher Miller in the backfield for a loss during a Southwest Valley Blue Conference game in Naperville on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Sean King / Naperville Sun)
Naperville North senior safety Griffin Jurjovec has played with Hill since they were in first grade.
“He’s always been that big,” Jurjovec said. “Probably in first grade he was almost the size of my dad. But his great work ethic is what sets him apart and makes him the man that he is now.
“He’s always working overtime — working out, eating properly, getting his body in the right condition. He’s always lifting, always with the trainer, stretching.”
Naperville North coach Sean Drendel said he hasn’t had to motivate Hill.
“He’s a relentless worker, and he’s self-made,” Drendel said. “He’s done a tremendous amount to get himself in this position. Any accolades he gets, he deserves.”
During his three-year varsity career, Hill became the most dominant defensive lineman in Naperville North history. As a senior, he had 52 tackles, 20 for loss, eight pass breakups, five sacks, two fumble recoveries, two blocked extra-point attempts, a blocked punt, a forced fumble and an interception, and he was named to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association’s Class 8A all-state team.
Hill finished his career with 173 tackles, 64 for loss, 21 sacks, 19 hurries, 12 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, four blocked kicks and three fumble recoveries. He ranks 20th on the Illinois High School Association’s career sacks list and holds all of the Huskies’ records for defensive linemen.
“He is a fierce competitor,” Drendel said. “He has a tremendous love for Naperville North, and this year he was a tremendous leader. He was probably our hardest worker.
“So you wrap all those things up with the type of talent he has, you end up with probably one of the best that’s ever played at Naperville North.”
Naperville North’s Gabriel Hill (8) reacts after sacking Oswego quarterback Drew Kleinhans during a game in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs in Oswego on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Mark Black / Naperville Sun)
That is saying a lot considering seven Huskies have played in the NFL.
“I’ve watched all of them, and in his time at Naperville North, (Hill) has done more than probably anyone,” Drendel said.
For all of Hill’s momentum-switching plays and impressive physical feats on the field, he’d like history to remember his high school career in simple terms.
“I would say my legacy would probably be a football player who works hard and puts everything on the line for myself and my teammates and my coaches and just enjoyed the game,” he said.
Hill added that he’s most proud of his leadership abilities. He has become more vocal and a role model for the younger kids.
Next, he will head to Bloomington, Indiana, to play football in the Big Ten.
“Being able to play college football is definitely something I’m very proud of,” he said. “That’s a goal I’ve had since I was in eighth grade. That’s when I started working out because I wanted to play on varsity and then college.”
Those workouts will continue.
“A lot of it will be keeping a mentally sharp perspective on my career and my future,” Hill said. “I feel like a lot of the best players like the Aaron Donalds, the DeVonta Smiths, have a really good routine of working out, staying in shape, watching a lot of film, taking care of their bodies.
“So I think as long as I continue to take care of myself and push myself physically, I’ll get the result I want.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
